Heroes of My Life: Kuya Brent

I think it’s time for the next SUPERHERO in my life. This sure was not easy to think about. I mean, who comes next? Because I have to weigh in the amount of influence and inspiration of all the people I thought to qualify to be a HERO in my life. But I think this next one deserves the 2nd spot. Because, once in my life, this one made me persevere in my service even when Ate Rhea left. Not literally left, of course. She just transferred to another place in search for a greener pasture. But all her teachings are all left behind. And still inspired us to fight for God.

And just like what I did with the first HERO of my life, all the pictures in this post were taken from my albums. Just so I would not be violating any copyrights.

Let me now introduce you to this guy…

Quite a charmer, huh? You betcha. Now this guy here is called Brent. This was taken millions of years ago when we were both still college students and super-duper active with our service in YFC. I’m out of college now and he’s a teacher (believe it!). We kind of tracked different paths now, but all of the things he shared with me (and that also include the fun things) are still etched in the deepest part of my heart. This man made the Green Lantern look like a boy who couldn’t lift his ring. He was so perseverant with his service that it came out from his system and transmitted it to me and to all the other pips out there who came across this little charm’s way. It’s like an aura of a Super Saiyan. People like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Goten, Trunks and a whole lot more. This photo was specifically taken during our out of town trip to Malbar, Catarman, Northern Samar to hold a Youth and Kids Camp simultaneously. The challenge, however, wasn’t in the camp. We were trained for it, man. The true test was the walking-for-two-hours-in-a-muddy-terrain-while-raining-with-no-footwear-going-there-and-going-back-home part (I’ll give you more visuals later with some photos). Whoa. Quite a big work, huh. But we managed to get through with it and even had some time for a little fun that included picture-taking, swimming at the river, more picture-taking, and still more picture-taking. At that time, we were both members of what is called PCG or Provincial Core Group of Northern Samar. He was the Sector Head of Sector A and I was the head of Campus-based Program. Sector A covers San Vicente, Capul (a very beautiful island with very beautiful inhabitants… sorry for being biased… I came from that place ), San Antonio, Victoria, Allen, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose and Bobon. See how many YFC’s would that be? And Kuya Brent is the head of all those towns mentioned. A very challenging challenge that challenged his already challenged challenges. I love challenges. Lol. What I’m trying to say is that it will take tons of determination, perseverance, commitment, and hard work to handle and lead such a colossal group of YFC’s. But he managed it, man. See? He’s the man.

I first saw him at our Alma Mater back in high school. But we’re not yet close to each other at that time. I stick with my classmates, of course. And thanks to YFC, I was able to extend the range of my friendships to other year levels. Awesome times thirty two! We started being friends at our Youth Camp in October 21-23, 2005. I will never forget that date, dude. We’re batchmates, man. And that started the great chemistry between us. Nah. Don’t think about chemistry as chemistry-chemistry. What I really want to say is that we had this, uhm, harmony in doing the same thing we both love to do: serving God through YFC. After that Youth Camp, a whole lot more opportunities opened for the both of us… and that included being provincial leaders. Cool. But before that, we, together with all those people behind the youth camp and those newly baptized YFC’s, shared a lot of fun activities to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, due to limitations in technology at that time, I don’t have documentations of all those activities. Cellphones at that time were cameraless, man. There were a few, of course, but that would mean tears on my parents’ pockets. So forget it. Even digital cameras at that time were for the richest of the richest only. So forget it too. But other than cameras and phones, there’s another thing that would capture every event… memory. Your internal memory. Unless, of course, you have 15-minute short term memory loss just like Sanjay Singhania. But that’s another story. But since those events happened eons ago, I only remember few things. Let me enumerate them for you. A fair few numbers, of course. Not all of them.

1. Our first fellowship. Well, we’re still not close at that time. So I still have no idea about his greatness.

2. Our Covenant Orientation. Same old, same old.

3. Our Household Training. No idea.

4. Highlights I. Now that I know of. And allow me to extract some of the things that happened that time in my memory system. This idea of conducting a whole day activity before that year’s Vicarial Youth Camp at Lavezares was Kuya Brent’s. Together with some of the parish youth leaders, we had a meeting at the Church grounds to discuss some things for the upcoming VYC. As far as I could remember, that particular meeting were composed of Kuya Ace (that time’s Parish Youth Head), Ate Manel, Ate Dianne, Ate Rose, Kuya Brent, and me. There were probably more, but it’s all what I can remember. We talked about the gap that somehow existed between YFC’s and Familia Singles that time. Not that we meant for it to happen, it just did. Kuya Brent thought that this indifference between the two renewal groups would somehow affect the unity and teamwork of Capul’s delegation. You see, our delegation was composed mostly by youths from the two said communities. So he came up with the scheme to bond the two groups with a super glue. What do you call it? Bull Dog? That’s it? Oh… what I mean was to bond the two groups with an activity that would bond the two groups. Uhm… redundancy alert. I really don’t care. *<Lol>*. It was even Kuya brent who came up with the event’s name. He wittingly, out of nowhere, called it Highlights. See? Very artistic. In fact, there came two more events that were named Highlights. It was called Highlights II and Highlights III. So that made the first the Highlights Highlights I. Correct me if I’m wrong. This said event opened friendships between the two groups. We shared a lot of moments making it a momentous event. Bravo! I can even still recall that I was a speaker during that day. My talk was entitled, uhm, egg? I’m not really sure. But one thing I am certain of is that the title contained ‘egg’ in it. The talk included a short activity that involved an egg (fresh, unbroken, unbeaten and most of all, unstinky), newspapers, masking tapes. The idea was to cover the unspoiled egg with the newspaper and locking it in place with the use of some password. Kidding. With the masking tape, of course. We did it by group. I even made them name their groups with ‘egg’ in it. And I can still remember one group who eruditely called their group ‘Eggning’. See how creative the youths of Capul were. The main challenge of the game is for the egg inside the taped newspaper to endure being dropped from a relatively high ground without breaking. Seemed impossible, huh. We started few feet high from the group consecutively dropping each groups’ eggs. And it got higher and higher and higher until I couldn’t extend my arms any longer. And the group with the least damage in their egg, or none at all, wins the game. I really couldn’t remember which group won but I’m pretty sure one group won. In between those drops, by the way, the members of what was then called Lucky Me (a group composed of me, Kuya Brent, a dude called Cyril, another called Louie, and yet another called Jan Jan) had fun throwing and catching the groups’ eggs with some distance in between just so to add some intensity on the game. I miss those guys. Sigh. I may have forgotten the winning group, but I totally still remember the message of game. It’s all about eggs getting more and more expensive as time pass. And other than that, I told them that the wrapped egg represented us in general. The egg (not yet wrapped) signified the youth in their most vulnerable selves. Temptations around them are most powerful when they lack faith in God. One drop would have spilled the insides of the egg even with just few inches above the ground. The newspaper and the tape together resembled the Christ-centered youth groups that introduced them to God and nurtured their spirituality. Even when I dropped that winning group’s egg from a great height, the egg remained unscathed. I hope you get the idea. And so, along with the other talks and fun games, the event sure did reach its goal: to break the gap between YFC’s and FS and made a united, bonded and stronger delegation for VYC. In fact, as of this moment, the friendship still remains.

5. Vicarial Youth Camp. It happened at Lavezares, Northern Samar. Three days and two nights of fun with God. I’ll not narrate everything that happened during the camp. Maybe a few things that still remains in my delicate memory. I remember getting on the venue together with all the members of our delegation on Mano Bobit’s jeepney. Literally on Mano Bobit’s jeepney because I happened to ride at the, uhm, how do you call it anyway?... rooftop? Whatev. I remember waking up late at night because the sky decided to cry and our tent wasn’t strong enough for the tears from heaven. In no time at all, our place would have been flooded if we hadn’t evacuated and took all our belongings inside the Church. I remember going to Allen with Kuya Brent for a very important Provincial Core Meeting at Allen’s YFC Couple Coordinator’s place. Can I say sorry? Well, we kind of, went to that meeting without asking permission. Sorry. I remember teasing Mikee (Micaela Ma. Agnes C. Tan) about the headbanded boy who talked with her, sort of, privately. I remember sitting with Mikee ((Micaela Ma. Agnes C. Tan) at the Church for a mass still teasing her about the headbanded guy. I remember writing ‘Mikee love Headband Boy’ at the back of my ID. I remember walking around the town with candles in our hands. I remember getting pissed over the poor reception at Lavezares. I was kind of texting the whole time. I remember having fun. That’s it. Perfect.

6. Vicarial Youth Camp at Capul. I wasn’t there, actually. I was in Manila taking my vacation. And can you just imagine the frustration I felt that time? An epic event I had the most unlucky twist of fate to miss. Pfft. I couldn’t tell anything that’s connected with the things that occurred during the camp. But I could tell you that during this event Kuya Brent was made the Chapter head of YFC Capul. Awesome! And Mikee (Micaela Ma. Agnes C. Tan) as the Chapter Leader. Awesome times two!

7. Batch 11 Youth Camp. This was epic. This was the first youth camp that Ate Rhea wasn’t in. But I knew that time that her prayers were with us because the camp ended a success. Kuya Brent headed the event. And he sure did his work great. He even made me the speaker of the first talk: God’s Love and His plans for us. He put a massive faith in me to entrust a very important talk for someone like me who, at that time, was still doubtful over his self. And I made it a challenge to myself to not fail him over this gargantuan responsibility of introducing God, His great love, and his wonderful plans for us, to the participants. And I hope I did my part well enough. From the first minute to the very last of that youth camp, I was happy. And I knew for a fact that we, with Kuya Brent’s leadership, did our jobs well. And it was sure memorable for me. It was the day I, eherm, met a, uhm, girl. Yeah. A girl. I couldn't really divulge the details. Lame.

8. Youth Camp at Allen. Whoa. This is one of the most memorable youth camps ever. This is the first time I served at a youth camp outside Capul. Let’s see. Kuya Brent, with her connection to Ate Mae Ann, the chapter head of Allen, invited us to serve. Apparently, they met at the weekly YFC campus gathering at UEP. I’m not really sure. And so, together with Kuya Brent, Leonel, Ate Cherry Ann, and Kier, we went to Allen for some action. And, again, Ate Mae Ann made me talk. Talk one again. But, hey, I accepted it. Because I had to. She gave me the manual a few hours before the start of the camp. Can you believe that? This girl sure loved everything instant! And she also made Kuya Brent the speaker for talk two: Who is Jesus Christ to Me. Whoa. The good thing was I already did talk one. And I was pretty confident with the talk. Plus the fact that my audience would have no idea who I was. If I messed up, well, they didn’t know me. And again, narrating the whole thing would mean longer webpage. So I would just cite few moments that sure made that camp memorable (in no particular order). I remember meeting Kuya Jayson, a former Provincial Youth Head, whom I didn't have any idea that he would be my teacher in my course today. I should call him Sir Jayson. He told us about a particular sin most Catholics fail to acknowledge. It’s called sacrilege. Receiving the Body of Christ during the Mass without confession is a sin. From then on, when I go to Church to hear the Mass, if I’m not yet confessed, I refrain from receiving the Body of Christ. Ate Mae Ann even told me that Sir Jayson was his inspiration in her service. Something that happened during the ILC in Subic. I remember doing the participants ID’s a few hours before the start of the camp. I remember learning the song ‘Through it All’. A song Sir Jayson taught during our free time at the camp. I remember making friends with a lot YFC’s from Allen. I could still pull some names like Jeff, Esbie, Zaira, Denel, etc. Etc. is not a name. Just for clarification. I remember eating our breakfast at our house in Allen. Together, of course, with my pips from Capul. We even took a bath there. I remember getting annoyed with the creatures of the night when I went to sleep. I’m not even sure if I did sleep that time. I remember facilitating a group. Oh. Goodness. I don’t remember any of my men that time. So sorry. Memory loss. But I sure did remember a few eps of my one-one-one talk with them. The details. Forget it. Because I already did. I remember, oh, and will always remember that that camp was AWESOME!

9. Sector Assembly in Allen. I really can’t tell you everything about this. Coz’ I forgot most parts of this great day. I can only remember that YFC’s from Capul went to Allen to attend this assembly. YFC’s from all over sector, too. I remember having fun. That’s it! Kuya Brent was, of course, led our way.

10. Many more!

Well, I ran out of memories! My RAM is depleted. Sorry, you guys. Im’ma just share to some of the photos I have in my album that shows Kuya Brent. Here goes.

These pictures were taken during the Provincial Kid’s Village. It’s a gathering of all the Kids for Christ of Northern Samar. And gladly, Kuya Brent and I were among the YFC’s to stand as Kuya’s and Ate’s (that includes extending our patience longer. And, I mean, longer!).

That’s him and with whatever he came up and excused it as a pose. Don’t get confused with the jacket thing. The PKV was held December 2009. It was pretty cold that time.

To your right, is a man called Jay. The one with the cap (my sexier version… a lot sexier version) is me. The shoulder I’m touching with my chin belongs to Kuya Brent. And obviously, whatever he’s seeing was more important than the camera. The woman to the left is Ate Lois (say Lowa! That’s an order!). and she’s also busy with whatever Kuya Brent was watching.

Kuya Brent is just too happy about something. I really don’t have any idea what.

Oh, come on! This! Don’t look for me, ok? Urgh. You saw me already. Well, at least look at Kuya Brent too. Thank you!

At last, all four of us looking at the camera. An achievement!

The next pictures were taken during one of our monthly GK (Gawad Kalinga) Build. We kinda have it in our schedule as PCG members. 

Pour that cement, Kuya Brent! Do your job fast! *<laugh>*. Sorry, I don’t wanna sound mean. 

That’s Kuya Brent holding the, uhm, that thing. Ate Lois and Ate Kiti are with him. They’re about to do some mixing. Hooray to you, guys!

The day’s done and a house was built. Not entirely a house, of course. You can’t put up a house in just day with these people. We love to talk while we work. Forget about deadlines. *<Lol>*. And what better way to compensate our tiredness but to take a group picture. Oh, yeah!

Kuya Brent is nowhere to be seen. That’s just me and Ate May. Yeah. Kuya Brent’s wife.

The next pictures were taken before and during one of out-of-town trips to Bugko, Northern Samar for some teaching. 

That’s the guy. He’s wearing this come-to-me-and-I’ll-eat-you look! Beware! 

Me, left to right: Dama, Ate May, and Kuya Brent were the ones sent by the higher authority to take care of our minions in Bugko. Don’t take me too seriously, ok.

That’s a husband and wife photo. But they were not married by the time I took this photo. Well, not yet.

Can I just stop for a while and just express how much I miss this little cutie here? He’s been with me as far as I could remember. And Ate Joy took him away! I demand justice! Give me back my Snoopy! Oh, that’s not Snoopy, you say? Who cares?!? Then give me back my Kororo!!!

The next pictures were taken during our Christmas Party called Yahoo! many years ago.

Oh my! Two of my heroes in one pic! Give me oxygen! This is just epic! Waaaaaaaaaah!!!

All my respect to Kuya Brent just flew away! Just like that. Gone. Never to return. *<laugh>*. Nah. The other guy is Jan-Jan. A very close friend of mine. Kuya Brent’s too. See how close they are.

Urgh. Next picture please!

The next pictures are the ones I managed to salvage from my old phones. They are random.

We were bunch of losers. *<laugh>*. On your left is Justin. The one holding the guitar is Jan Jan. Next to him is Leonel. And, yeah, Kuya Brent. And the only girl, Ate Kris Ann.

Eeeeeeeeeeenk!

This was during the most exhausting, energy-draining, no-sleeping, yet fulfilling, unforgettable, memorable youth camp ever!

At Jasper’s house. One of PCG’s most valued possession. Me, Leonel, Kuya Brent with the, ta-da, Christmas tree.

See that? That’s me and Kuya Brent playing teks. Yeah, right. Did I mention we’re crazy? I didn’t? now, you know.

And feast your eyes (more like endure) the next set of pictures!

Hooooooo! I’m glad that’s over! Yeah. You can open your eyes already. 

Kuya Brent has his own life right now. He is, in fact, happily married to Ate May, a YFC too. And they already have children. Lots of it! *<laugh>*. He may be away, and was away for most of the activities that followed, his influence still remained. His leadership is still with us! Thank you a lot, Kuya Brent!

PS. Sorry for the low quality of the photos. I mean, they were, like, a million years ago. So, no sweat. Word, man!